The morning light spilled gently through the curtains, filling the room with a warm, golden glow. A soft breeze carried the scent of jasmine from the garden, blending with the familiar aroma of tea brewing in the kitchen. The world outside seemed alive with birdsong, a perfect soundtrack to the start of a new day.

From the kitchen, her mother’s voice rang out, half-playful, half-stern.

"Ishu beta..."

Ipsita stirred beneath her blanket, her face half-buried in the pillow, her messy hair spread like a halo. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the brightness that teased her awake.

She stretched her arms with a small yawn, the kind that comes not from exhaustion but from the comfort of waking to a promising morning.

On the bedside table, her phone buzzed quietly with notifications, but for once, she didn’t rush to check them. The moment felt too precious—too full of the simple joy of a new day.

With sleepy steps, she rose, the cool floor tiles kissing her feet as she walked toward the mirror.

Her reflection looked drowsy yet content, with a faint smile lingering as though she knew the day would bring something special. A messy bun was tied quickly, strands of hair rebelliously escaping, giving her the look of effortless charm.

She quickly got freshened up and picked a vibrant blue kurti, one that perfectly matched the cheer of the morning.

Bag slung over her shoulder, she was ready — not just for college, but for whatever small surprises the day had tucked away for her.

Because cheerful mornings were never just about sunlight or birdsong — they lived in the little moments: the warmth of home, the rush of getting ready, and the excitement of stepping into another day full of possibilities.

"Maa, mu ette saara pakhala khaai paaribini."

("Mom, I wouldn't be able to eat so much pakhala." Pakhala: a regional food of odisha)

"Time re jete haba setiki khaa, Ishu."

("Eat till the time is up, Ishu.")

I began to eat the bowl of pakhala in front of me. I was already running late because as usual I woke up late. And Maa served me way too much this morning. I was compelled to eat. If I do, I might be late for the bus. But if I don't, I'll end up starving before the lunch break.

And I can never afford to starve, at any cost.

Completing more than half the bowl, I stood up to get my bag from my room.

"Maa, baharuchi ebe," I said loudly, picking up my bag and phone.

("Mom, I'm leaving now.")

"Bus dharile call karibu," Maa came out of the kitchen and hugged me lightly.

("Call me once you board the bus.")

I smiled and nodded at her. Wearing my favorite white sneakers I left for the bus stop.

15 minutes later,

"Sid, have you even left from home?"

"Yes, I really had. I'm just 5 minutes away."

"5 minutes only or else I'll take the bus alone."

"Your command is my wish, your highness."

I chuckled lightly and hang up the call.

Today’s the first day of our college. I’ve finally entered college! Finally something new to explore after 10th grade boards.

And Sid, aka Siddhant Patnaik, is my best friend. We have taken admission in the same college – DAV Junior College (Science and Commerce). Sid has opted for commerce and me science.

Only I'm aware of the efforts it took me for convincing Sid to choose science. But no, as expected, Sid chose commerce, saying that science is tough.

Never mind, now I’m at the bus stop, waiting for the bus and Sid. And I’m pretty sure, he’ll arrive along with the bus.

“Booooooo!”

“Who the f—”

“It’s me! IT’S ME!” Sid shouted louder than his regular voice. “Easy, woman. You shouldn’t curse on such an auspicious day.”

“If this wouldn’t have been a public bus stop, I would have punched you on your nose,” I muttered, glaring at him.

“God decided to have some mercy on me today,” he cheekily smiled, slightly nudging my shoulder.

I simply rolled my eyes. I’m habitual to his antics now. He’s annoying most of the times, but since he’s a good companion to me since 7th grade, I have no complaints.

He got shifted to my society when we were in 7th grade. Since our fathers are colleagues and know each other well, Sid took admission in my school at that time.

We didn’t become friends on day one. It took us long to get together. In the beginning, our fathers insisted us to play together with the society kids and go to school together.

Somehow, it worked out, gradually. And today, we are one of the most insane duos in the society.

“Here, here. The bus arrived,” Sid tapped lightly on my back, alerting me and breaking the chain of my thoughts.

I re-adjusted my bag and held my phone tighter. Though the bus wasn’t crowded, I always have this fear of my phone slipping out of my hands while boarding a bus or train.

We sat in one of the middle seats and Sid got us tickets. It’ll take us hardly half an hour by bus and 5 minutes walking to reach our college.

“Ips, try this. Maa prepared it today for breakfast.”

I looked at the lunch box in his hands.
Kaakra peetha.

My favourite in sweets after rasgulla.

I smiled enthusiastically and picked the heart-shaped one. I know Priyanka aunty has specially made it for me since a few months back when I requested her to make heart shape ones for me.

“Please let aunty know I loved these,” I said, softly.

“Sure, and she asked me to give this to you,” saying this, Sid took out a small lunch box and placed it on my palms.

I instantly knew what this could be. I looked up to him with a cheeky smile. “Give my heartiest regards to her.”

Sid smiled and lightly nodded his head in yes and put his earpods on. I tucked in the lunch box safely inside my bag and unlocked my phone to text Maa that we boarded the bus.

Few minutes later,

“Where’s your classroom?”

“Ummm... second floor. Classroom number 7.”

“Mine is on first floor. Classroom number 3.”

We were standing on the ground floor in front of the huge noticeboard, where classroom numbers were assigned to us. There were a few people around us, almost our classmates and some seniors too.

“Let’s go, classes will start in a while,” Sid suggested, turning towards me.

“Yeah, see you in the recess.”

“Lunch break it is, idiot,” he said, lightly smacking my head.

“Oww, that hurts,” I fake winced in pain, rubbing the spot.

“Bye, see yaa,” Sid already turned to leave, waving a bye.

“Byee!”

I turned to leave and took my phone out to check my socials for one last time. The atmosphere of this college feels... nice. Calm. Perfect. Soon I reached and stood before my classroom. Classroom no. 3.

There were a few students who came before me. But none of them seemed to talk to each other. I entered the class with slow and calculated steps. Though I was a front bencher in school, I don’t think I can be one here too. Or else they’ll call me ‘teacher’s pet’.

Keeping my bag aside, I settled in one of the middle benches, which was, I guess, the 6th bench. And luckily, the fan was right on top of my bench. Around me, there were 3-4 girls, scrolling on their phones.

Maybe I should initiate a conversation with someone..? Okay, since I’ve just entered the class, I can talk to anyone instead of sitting quiet.

“Hey!”

I turned back.

A beautiful girl with wavy hair, black butterfly earring tops, a simple black fastrack watch, and a white sleeveless tank top paired up with light blue flared jeans.

“Are you Nidhita Mishra?” she asked me.

“Uhmm, no, I’m Ipsita Mahapatra.”

“Oh, sorry to interrupt. Actually I saw this reel of some influencer named Nidhita Mishra. She looks exactly like you.”

“Oww, really?” I smiled. This has to be the perfect moment to initiate a conversation with this girl. “Can you show me?”

“Yeah sure, come over,” she responded back warmly.

She was just two benches behind me so I got up and walked up to her bench.

“See,” she showed me her phone. “This girl. Doesn’t she look almost similar to you?”

“Oh yeah, her nose looks likes mine,” I said surprisingly, pointing on my nose. “By the way, what’s your good name?”

“I’m Lavanya. Lavanya Tripathi.”

“Nice to meet you Lavanya.”

“Likewise,” she smiled brightly. “Well, where do you come from?”

“I stay near Tribhuvan circle. Colony no. 9.”

“9? Mine is 14.”

“Oh really? Colony no. 14 is merely 50 meters away. Congrats, we are neighbours!”

“But how come I never saw you around?” Lavanya laughed, clapping her hands once.

“Maybe Lord Jagannatha decided to make us meet in this college.”

“And that too in the same class.”

We laughed and giggled together. I really hope I made a good friend, today.

“Well, can we sit together?”

“Yeah sure, we already have so much space on these benches.”

“For real!” Lavanya muttered, while picking up her bag and other belongings. “Let’s sit at your bench, this one feels like being a back bencher.”

“Sure, no problem!”

We shifted are belongings properly and placed them perfectly. And finally sat on the bench comfortably. It was still 12:20. And we had 10 more minutes for our first lecture to start.

“So, did you make any friends yet?” I asked her out of curiosity.

“No, you’re the first person I talked to. And I came hardly 10-15 minutes before you.”

I made an oh face and smiled faintly. “Glad to know I’m your first friend here.”

“And I hope we have this after college too.”

“We probably will, don’t worry.”

“Good morning, ma’am.”

Our giggles suddenly dropped and we glanced at the door. A young lady with few books and her phone entered our classroom. We stood immediately. Probably, the first lecture is hers.

“Good morning, students. Please be seated.”

I slightly looked towards Lavanya and gave her a ‘why she’s before time time?’ look. She glanced at her watch and shrugged her shoulders.

“Class, my name is Roopam Mohanty. And I’ll teach you chemistry for both, 11th and 12th grades,” the young lady introduced herself calmly. “And I know I’m 10 minutes earlier for the class. And it is because we need some time to adjust with each other and settle down properly, right? So, today, we’ll just have introductions of you all and I’ll give an overview of 11th grade chemistry topics in the last 15 minutes. I hope y’all are okay with this?”

“Yes ma’am!” the students responded enthusiastically.

She was very nice. Her body language, tone of speaking and student-teacher interacting ability was too good.

Students were still entering the class, half shocked to see a ma’am already in the class and half confused where to sit and with whom. Roopam ma’am said to wait for a few minutes and then we’ll start with introductions meanwhile most of the students can come.

“She seems nice and sweet,” I said, turning towards Lavanya.

“Hmm... She really is,” she replied, nodding her head in agreement. “I hope all our faculties to be like her.”

“Doesn’t seem possible, but, okay, let’s pray for it,” I giggled, shrugging my shoulders.

Soon both of us were practically staring into every student’s soul those were entering the class and silently fake judging them with our eyes. No, we didn’t judge them on the basis of their faces and outfits, but the way they asked ma’am the permission to enter and their walk.

Irrespective of genders, almost all the students seemed a little rude to ma’am. Carelessly entering the class, chewing gum while non-chalantly asking for permission, ignoring her whole existence in the class, and what not.

And in between all these —

“May I come in, ma’am?”

5’8 tall, slim, yet solid physique, in all black outfit from head to toe, with a black laptop bag slung over his shoulder.

He entered the classroom with an unhurried step, shoulders relaxed, eyes scanning the room like he was assessing a place he’d already decided not to care too much about.

There was nothing loud about him — no forced confidence, no attention-seeking energy; yet the air shifted, subtle but undeniable.

He took a seat the next row, 5th bench, dropped his bag beside the desk, and leaned back as if this was just another class, another day. But my focus had already slipped away from the teacher in front of me and from Lavanya.

It annoyed me, honestly — how my attention had betrayed me so easily.

I looked down. At my hands, resting on my lap. Did he notice me? Looking at him like that?

Honestly, he shouldn’t. Or else I’m done with my college.

“Starting with this row, please stand up one by one and introduce yourselves with your name, school from where you passed out, your 10th boards percentage and your dream profession.”

“Did she say 10th boards percentage!?” Lavanya freaked out.

“Yours were low?” I whispered into her ears.

“Yeah,” she muttered. “78, only.”

“Itna toh 2 ladkon ka milaa ke banta hai.”

(“It’s as much as two boys put together.”)

We giggled quietly meanwhile the row besides us already started their introductions. We listened to their percentages and dream professions more than what their names are or from which school they’d passed out.

“I scored 58% and want to become a software engineer.”

“I scored 76% and want to do BSc in nursing.”

“I scored 63% and want to become a game developer.”

“I scored 75% and want to become an architect.”

“I scored 68% and want to become a web designer.”

and so on... Until...

“My name is Hridayansh Pradhan. Passed out from DAV Public School. I’d scored 94% in my 10th boards and I aspire to become a doctor.”

That was it. No extra explanation. No attempt to impress.

He nodded once, politely, and sat back down.

My eyes were actually stuck at his figure. The same 5’8 guy.

I realized only then that I’d been watching him the entire time. Not because he’d said something extraordinary, but because of how calmly certain he sounded. Like he didn’t need validation from the class. Like his ambition wasn’t an announcement, but a direction.

And point to be noted, the first 90’s percentage we heard till now.

I was preparing myself for my introduction. But his voice kept ringing inside my head.

Hridayansh.

I kept thinking about him. Reason? Even I’m trying to figure out.

“It’s mere attraction, Ipsita.”

I kept muttering to myself. And I realized it was soon my turn as Lavanya stood up and introduced herself.

After she finished, I inhaled a deep breath and stood up.

“My name is Ipsita Mahapatra. I’ve passed out from Elite Public School. I’d scored 93% in my 10th boards and I want to become an aerospace engineer.”

“Cheers, one more 90’s in our class,” Roopam ma’am clapped her hands softly.

I sat down calmly with a light smile.

“You didn’t tell me about this,” Lavanya muttered, nudging my arm.

“It was no big deal,” I answered quietly, shrugging my shoulders.

The introduction session kept going on. It was fun. Knowing your classmates and even remembering some of the names. Lavanya and me kept on giggling and gossiping everything through our eye contacts.

Somewhere, between everything, my eyes kept wandering around Hridayansh. The way he talks to the boys around him, the way he looks at the whiteboard, the way he fixes his hair every now and then.

Everything about him is stealing my attention. And it’s annoying. Really really annoying.

“Okay, students, all your introductions were amazing. I might not remember everyone’s names, but no worries. We’ll get to know each other with time. And now I’ll explain you in short the topics we have in chemistry this year.”

Roopam ma’am started with her lecture finally. The topics she mentioned were mostly from our 10th grade. And I felt relieved. But still we cannot take it light or else our 12th grade would be on risk.

Three more lectures went on the same way. Introductions and subject topics discussion. And finally, now it was recess time.

I texted Sid to come up and meet me. Perks of having a best friend in the same college.

“Yo, enjoying the first day?” I heard Sid yelling from a distance.

I widened my eyes and looked around. There were literally other people around us and they were even passing us weird looks.

“Couldn’t you ask the same from here?” I whisper-yelled at him, pointing to the place where he was standing, near me.

“Got a bit excited, you know,” he replied, rubbing the back of his head.

“Well, mine is going normal. And I made a friend, her name is Lavanya. So I’m going to have lunch with her.”

“Hawww. You cheated on me on the very first day.”

“As if you didn’t make any friends.”

“Yeah, just 3-4.”

“Enough for the first day, man.”

“Chal then, see you at 5:30.”

“Bye!”

We waved our hands at each other and left. I entered the classroom and went to my place. Lavanya was scrolling reels on her Instagram. Seeing me, she stood up for going to wash hands together.

We almost crossed our classroom and I remembered my water bottle was empty.

“Wait, wait. I need to fill my water bottle,” saying this, I came back to my bench to take my bottle.

“How did you manage to finish that before break?” she asked, pointing towards my bottle.

“I drink a lot,” I said, smiling cheekily.

“Fill your bottle meanwhile I’ll go to the washroom,” she said, tapping on my shoulders.

I nodded at her once and turned towards the water cooler. Fortunately, there was no crowd. Hardly 2-3 students. I waited for few seconds and stepped forward to fill my water bottle.

I opened the tap and waited. The flow of water was really slow. And cherry on top, my water bottle was more than a litre and I had to fill it full or else I’ll have to come here again to refill.

My bottle just started filling up and someone came besides me to fill theirs. To give some extra space to the person, I shifted a little to my side.

I didn’t intend to see the person. I swear I didn’t. But my eyes did the job before my brain could comprehend.

Him.

Hridayansh.

Right beside me.

Just a few centimetres away.

My breath hitched. My hands felt weak. And my heartbeat knew no limits.

My mind would never in a million years could expect this man to be here at this moment.

My mind screamed to just run from that place. But my legs denied. Even if I wished to, I couldn’t even move an inch. Running would be on next level.

I stayed still. And silent. Acting as if my whole body did not shiver. As if my heart rate didn’t touch the sky.

The cold icy water ran through my fingers. I let out an immediate hiss.

My bottle was completely filled up. Drinking just a little, I closed the cap of my bottle and ran from that place.

What was that?

Why did I respond to his presence like that?

Why does he have this much effect on me?

Why only him, Lord Jagannatha? Why only HIM?

I leaned near the railing taking deep breathes. I couldn’t stay there because of him and I couldn’t leave for class without Lavanya.

Within a few minutes, Lavanya returned back.

“Let’s go?” she asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Y-Yeahh, yeahh. Let’s go,” I replied, my voice uneven.

We walked through the corridors together. Though I was walking with her, my eyes kept wandering everywhere to find him, again.

To see him, again.

But he disappeared somewhere.

“What did you bring for tiffin?” Lavanya asked curiously, opening her bag and taking out her tiffin.

“Uhh huh?”

“What did you bring for tiffin?” she repeated herself.

“Oh. Uhh I brought uhh...” I tried hard to remember. “Yes! Masala Dosa!”

“Woah! That was quick,” she said sarcastically, narrowing her eyes on me.

“Come on, I was thinking about someone else.”

“And who’s that ‘someone else’?”

My head spinned towards her in surprise.

Does she know?

Because I didn’t hesitate to look at him this whole day. She might have seen me doing this.

“What? Why are you acting weird?” she asked innocently.

Okay, thankfully, she didn’t notice me before, doing that.

“Ahh, leave it. Come, sit down,” I said, sitting down myself and making place for her.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Mentally?”

“I really am. Don’t say like that,” I muttered under my breath, pretending to be offended.

“Okay, okay madam. Calm down now.”

We started eating and gossiping together. Half of the class were downstairs in the canteen. Lavanya said the canteen is usually crowded at this hour. Plus, we’ve got our own lunch boxes from home. So we decided to explore the canteen some other day.

We finished our lunch and got up lazily to go and wash our hands, in our own worlds of gossiping.

“Excuse me,” we heard this faint voice from behind.

Lavanya and I turned.

“Does anyone of you have a...” the girl in front of us spoke nervously, her hands fiddling.

I walked up to her. “Are you okay? Do you need any help?”

“Actually... I just got my period and... I don’t have-”

“I’ve one. I’ll get it for you,” I cut her off in the middle and ran to my classroom. Lavanya stood there in the corridor with the girl.

“Here. Take care,” I said assuringly to the girl, giving her a sanitary pad.

“Thank you very much,” the girl said. She was almost about to break down.

“Hey, we’re here. Don’t feel bad,” Lavanya said sweetly and rubbed the girl’s back.

The girl smiled for one last time and left for the washroom. Lavanya and I shared glances.

“Was she okay?” Lavanya asked quietly.

“Shall we wait for a while?”

She quietly nodded her head. We waited outside for a while. We didn’t even know who she was. From our college? From our grade? Even her name? We knew nothing. Yet, we stayed there. Waiting for her.

Just after a minute or two, we heard the closing of door and water running down the wash basin. Lavanya and I exchanged known glances.

The girl came out with slow steps and trembling hands.

She might be in real pain, no doubt.

We were about to turn and walk away, but the girl saw us.

“Hey!”

We had to stop and turn back.

“Are you feeling okay?” I asked slowly.

The girl happily nodded and said, “You don’t know me, yet you helped me today. Thank you very much. I’m suffering from PCOD. And I got my period today, after five months. I didn’t know it could arrive today, or else I would have...”

“That’s fine, dear. And if girls won’t help girls in this situation then who will?” I said, slightly rubbing her back.

“By the way, what’s your good name?” Lavanya asked.

“My name is Taarini Datta. I’m from the 11th commerce section.”

“Nice to meet you, Taarini,” Lavanya squealed, shaking hands with her.

“And you both...?” Taarini asked.

“I’m Ipsita Mahapatra. You can call me Ips.”

“And I’m Lavanya Tripathi. Both of us are in 11th science section.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Taarini chimed up. “Friends?”

“Friends!” Lavanya and I shook hands with her together. With few more minutes of chit-chatting and knowing each other more, we left for our classes.

Next Day

The morning arrived quietly, almost politely, as if it did not want to disturb the calm of Ipsita’s room. Pale sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, brushing over her desk, her bookshelf, and finally her face.

For a brief moment, she remained still, caught between sleep and wakefulness, before the realization settled in — second day of college.

Her eyes opened fully then.
Unlike yesterday’s nervous chaos, today felt… normal. Familiar. Comforting.

Ipsita stretched beneath her blanket and let out a soft sigh, listening to the distant sounds of her house waking up — the clatter of utensils, the low hum of the television, footsteps moving about with routine precision.

She sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes, her lips curving into a small smile. The fear of the unknown had eased overnight, replaced by something steadier.

She moved through her morning rituals with ease. A quick shower washed away the last traces of sleep, and soon the mirror reflected a girl who looked more like herself; hair neatly braided, kajal lightly lining her eyes, confidence sitting quietly on her shoulders.

She chose a simple outfit, comfortable and effortless, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stepped out, the scent of breakfast following her.

Sid was already waiting near the bus stop — earphones hanging around his neck, bag carelessly slung, expression relaxed. He grinned the moment he saw her.

“You’re on time huh,” he teased as they boarded the bus together.
Ipsita rolled her eyes but smiled, settling into the seat beside him.

The bus rumbled to life, carrying with it the chatter of students, the sound of laughter, and the rhythm of a day unfolding exactly as expected.

Everything felt uncannily similar to yesterday. The same roads, the same turns, the same rush of wind through open windows.

As the bus picked up speed, Ipsita reached into her bag and pulled out a neatly packed lunch box. She held it out to Sid.

“Your mom’s dabba,” she said. “Tell her thank you again. And my mom prepared this kheer.”

Sid laughed, taking it from her. “I knew you’d say that. And thanks for this.”

Ipsita shook her head, smiling to herself as the bus swayed gently. They talked about trivial things — lectures, professors, classmates whose names they barely remembered. The conversation flowed easily, filling the space between stops, until the college gates came into view.

The day slipped into its academic rhythm soon after. Classrooms filled, notebooks opened, pens scratched across paper. Ipsita listened, noted down points, nodded when required. Everything was fine. Normal. Predictable.

Until it wasn’t.

She was adjusting her notebook when it happened. An unassuming moment, barely noticeable to anyone else. Hridayansh looked up, while entering the classroom.

It was not dramatic. No slow motion. No background music. Just a glance. Brief. Direct.

And Ipsita froze.

Her pen hovered mid-air, fingers tightening around it as if her body had suddenly forgotten its purpose. Her breath stalled somewhere between inhale and exhale, her mind going completely, disastrously blank.

The classroom faded into the background. The professor’s voice, the rustling pages, the low murmurs, all dissolving into white noise.

He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t frowning either. Just looking. Calm. Curious. As if he had stumbled upon something unexpectedly familiar.

Ipsita’s heart reacted before her logic could catch up. It thudded hard against her ribs, loud enough that she was certain Lavanya could hear it from the other side of the bench.

Heat rushed to her face, her ears burning as she stared right back, unable to look away, unable to move.
This was ridiculous. She knew that.

Yesterday had been manageable — glances stolen, feelings brushed aside, a harmless infatuation neatly tucked away.

But today, it surged forward without warning, unraveling her composure in seconds.

Hridayansh blinked first, moving towards his bench as if nothing unusual had happened.

Ipsita exhaled sharply.

Her grip on the pen loosened, fingers trembling slightly as reality snapped back into place. She stared down at her notebook, words blurring before her eyes, heart still racing like it had just run a mile. Her mind scrambled to regain control, silently scolding itself.

Get it together.

But control was overrated when the damage was already done.

Lavanya leaned closer, whispering, “You okay?”

Ipsita nodded a little too quickly, not trusting her voice. She forced herself to write something — anything — just to feel normal again. Yet, every few seconds, her awareness drifted back to him. The way he sat. The way he focused. The way a single look had been enough to throw her completely off balance.

It was only the second day of college.
And somehow, without warning, Ipsita already knew — this was not going to be simple.

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